Thanks for the advice which is unfortunately what I expected. All options
have been considered, but after over 40 years of tending a large and
productive vegetable plot, I have now partly paved it over and planted a
dozen fruit bushes, and a herb patch all of which are flourishing. The
reason. I am approaching 90 and a spade is anathema. Next move - pave the
bean patch!
Alistair